Presentation apparatus and presentation control method

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

00011. Field of the Invention

0002The present invention relates to a presentation apparatus and a presentation control method that allows a presentation, wherein an application is employed that does not possess a presentation function.

00032. Description of the Related Art

0004Proliferation of personal computers in recent years has led to digitization of a variety of office administrative tasks, a trend that is extending from paper-based operations to the conference room. A prominent example thereof is a presentation apparatus, essentially a digital whiteboard.

0005The presentation apparatus performs a presentation by operating in a window that an application provides (application window), and performs an annotation in the application window or elsewhere. Not all applications possess the annotation function, however. Consequently, a technology is called for that offers the annotation function to an application that does not feature the annotation function, thus adding a presentation function to a wide range of applications.

0006Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 06-124183 (hereinafter “Cited Reference 1”) proposes a presentation apparatus that overlays a transparent window over a window that is displayed by an application, and performs an annotation therein. Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 10-171590 (hereinafter “Cited Reference 2”) proposes a presentation apparatus that performs a screen capture of a desired image that is displayed by an application as a bitmap, and performs the annotation as a background of the image thus acquired. Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 2000-89890 (hereinafter “Cited Reference 3”) proposes a technology that changes a button display in response to whether or not an operation is valid.

0007The presentation apparatuses in question possess two operating modes. One is an application mode that performs an operation of the application, and the other is a presentation mode that performs an annotation in such as an application window. Given, however, that the presentation apparatuses according to the foregoing technologies do not differentiate in a screen display between the application mode and the presentation mode, it is difficult to distinguish the operation mode based on the screen display alone.

0008For example, if a button is attached to the application window, the appearance of the button will not change, even if the transparent window is overlaid on the application window, per the Cited Reference 1, or if a screen capture of the application window is performed, per the Cited Reference 2, leading to mistakenly identifying the presentation mode as the application mode, and thus, causing a user to depress the button in the application mode, even though the presentation mode is the currently active mode.

0009If a user personally builds the application to be used for presentation, it is possible to apply the technique disclosed in the Cited Reference 3 to change the appearance of the button in response to whether or not the operation mode is the presentation mode or the application mode. Given, however, that the application that is used in the presentation will vary from user to user, it is not possible to restrict the application to which the technology is to be applied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0010The present invention was devised to solve the problems, and has as a feature changing the screen display of an application window that does not support a presentation between the application mode and the presentation mode, avoiding misidentification of the operation mode thereby.

0011According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a presentation apparatus, possessing, at least, an application mode adapted to performing an operation concerning to the application, and a presentation mode adapted to performing a drawing, comprising:

0012a first holding unit adapted to hold a parts data that includes at least one of a type, a location, and a size of a component part that is displayed within a selected screen area;

0013a second holding unit adapted to hold a selection rule that depicts the type of the component part that is to change a drawing state when the presentation apparatus is running in a presentation mode;

0014a selection unit adapted to select the component part from the parts data according to the selection rule; and

0015a processing unit adapted to process the selected screen area by changing an image of the component part that is selected by the selection unit, and generate the image to be used in the presentation.

0016According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a presentation control method of a presentation apparatus possessing, at least, an application mode adapted to perform an operation concerning to the application, and a presentation mode adapted to perform a drawing, that uses a first holding unit adapted to hold a parts data that includes at least one of a type, a location, and a size of a component part that is displayed within a selected screen area, and a second holding unit adapted to hold a selection rule that depicts the type of the component part that is to change a drawing state when the presentation apparatus is running in a presentation mode, comprising the steps of:

0017selecting the component part from the parts data according to the selection rule; and

0018processing the selected screen area by changing an image of the component part that is selected by the selection unit, and generating the image to be used in the presentation.

0019Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram depicting a configuration of a presentation apparatus according to a first embodiment.

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> depicts an example of a display screen of an application window.

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> depicts an example of a data structure of a parts data that corresponds to the application window.

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> depicts a display example of the application window in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> when in presentation mode.

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a flowchart that describes a process of creating a presentation mode screen, according to the first embodiment.

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a flowchart that describes a process of creating a presentation mode screen, according to a second embodiment.

0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a flowchart that describes a process of creating a presentation mode screen, according to a third embodiment.

0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> depicts an example of a background image that is displayed in a transparent window.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

0028Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

0029<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram depicting a configuration of a presentation apparatus <b>100</b> according to a first embodiment. In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a CPU <b>10</b> controls the presentation apparatus <b>100</b> overall, according to a control program that is stored in such as a memory <b>11</b>. The CPU <b>10</b> is capable of performing storage of data in the memory <b>11</b>, or a process on each respective input from an input unit <b>12</b>. An application program and/or display data are also stored in the memory <b>11</b>, which is possessed of such as a RAM, which is capable of functioning as a work space when the CPU <b>10</b> executes a program, as well as such as a ROM or a hard drive, which stores such as the application program and/or the display data.

0030The input unit <b>12</b> possesses such as a keyboard and/or a mouse, with which the user performs an input. A display control unit <b>13</b> controls an output to a display <b>14</b>, which is a display monitor of the presentation apparatus <b>100</b>, and which displays such as an application window, such as depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref>, which the application provides.

0031A parts data management unit <b>15</b> manages a parts data of a component part that configures the application window. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> depicts an example of a data structure of a parts data that the parts data management unit <b>15</b> manages. A parts data <b>30</b> that is depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is the parts data of the component part that configures the application window <b>20</b> that is depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. The parts data <b>30</b> contains such information as an ID, a type, a location, a size, a color, and an owner of each respective component part. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> depicts a correspondence between ID numbers <b>1</b> through <b>10</b> of the parts data <b>30</b> and the parts in the application window <b>20</b>. Reference numerals <b>1</b> through <b>10</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> correspond to the ID numbers <b>1</b> through <b>10</b> of the parts data <b>30</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, respectively.

0032It is possible to acquire such parts data by querying a property information of a window, for example, when running Windows®. The ID numbers of the parts data <b>30</b> correspond in order in which the component parts are drawn onscreen, and thus, the application window <b>20</b> that is depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is drawn by drawing each respective component part of the parts data <b>30</b> in order by ID number. An instance wherein the application has a plurality of application windows, or a plurality of application windows are open because a plurality of applications are running, is also conceivable. When thus working with the plurality of application windows, the parts data management unit <b>15</b> maintains the parts data such as per <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> on a per application window basis, and manages the correspondence between the parts data and each respective application window.

0033A parts image management unit <b>16</b> creates, updates, and manages an image of each part that configures the application window <b>20</b>. The parts image management unit <b>16</b> creates an image of the component part that is registered with the parts data. The parts image management unit <b>16</b> stores and manages the image thus created in the memory <b>11</b>. A presentation unit <b>17</b> performs a full range of presentation processes, including such as switching between operation modes, i.e., application mode or presentation mode, and directing a processing unit <b>18</b> to process the image of the component part, a process that is depicted in the flowchart in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>.

0034The processing unit <b>18</b> processes the image of the component part of the application window <b>20</b>, according to the direction of the presentation unit <b>17</b>. The processing unit <b>18</b> selects the component part to be processed from the parts data that the parts data management unit <b>15</b> manages, and processes the image of the selected component part, which the parts image management unit <b>16</b> manages, according to pre-configured processing rules, which may also be selection rules, for selecting the component part to have its drawing state changed in the presentation mode. According to the first embodiment, “Fill the component part whose Type is not “TextBox” or “PictureBox”” is presumed to be the processing rule. Accordingly, when performing the process based on the parts data <b>30</b>, with regard to the component part of the application window <b>20</b>, the component part that does not have an ID of <b>7</b> or <b>9</b> is filled, thus configuring an image <b>40</b>, as depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. Thus the presentation image is generated. While it is presumed that the processing rule is pre-stored in the memory <b>11</b>, it would also be permissible to configure the processing rule to be user-editable.

0035It would also be possible to use a size or a shape, i.e., an aspect ratio, of the component part as the processing rule with regard to the image of the component part. Examples of such rules that might be used would include:

0036invert a color of a part of a small size, i.e., a part whose area is less than or equal to a prescribed size;

0037draw a semi-transparent text, such as “COPY”, in a part of a larger size, i.e., a part whose area is greater than or equal to a prescribed size; and

0038apply a red border if the aspect ratio is greater than or equal to a given value.

0039It would also be possible to use the processing rules in combination or with a priority assignment thereto. The processing rule according to the embodiment is set to select the component part, such as the button that receives the user direction, and carry out the process such as fill or the like.

0040Implementation of the parts data management unit <b>15</b>, the parts image management unit <b>16</b>, the presentation unit <b>17</b>, and the processing unit <b>18</b> by having the CPU <b>10</b> execute the control program would also be permissible. Accordingly, the presentation apparatus <b>100</b> may also be implemented via a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer.

0041Following is a description of the application window process when running the presentation mode of the presentation apparatus <b>100</b>, according to the first embodiment, with reference to the flowchart depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a flowchart that describes a process of creating a presentation mode screen, according to the first embodiment. Each respective component part of the application window is captured and the drawing state changed on a per component part basis, and a presentation mode display performed, according to the first embodiment.

0042When the presentation commences, in step S<b>100</b>, the presentation unit <b>17</b> detects either the application window or a screen area that is selected as an object of the presentation. Hereinafter, the selected application window or screen area will also be collectively referred to as the selected screen area. The selection of the application window or screen area is achieved by the user operating the input unit <b>12</b>. It is possible, for example, to use the mouse to select the application window, or to select the object of the presentation, i.e., to specify the selected screen area, by dragging the mouse to specify a rectangular area. It would also be possible to specify a plurality of application windows, or to specify the entire screen of the display <b>14</b> as the selected screen area.

0043In step S<b>101</b>, the presentation unit <b>17</b> acquires the parts data pertaining to the displayed component parts that are contained in the screen area that is selected from the parts data management unit <b>15</b>, i.e., the application window and/or the screen area that is selected. In the present example, the application window <b>20</b> that is depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is selected in step S<b>100</b>, and the parts data <b>30</b> that is depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is acquired in step S<b>101</b>. In step S<b>102</b>, the image of each respective component that is contained in the parts data that is acquired in step S<b>101</b> is acquired from the parts image management unit <b>16</b>. In the present example, the image of each respective component part ID numbers <b>1</b> through <b>10</b> that is recited in the parts data <b>30</b> is acquired.

0044In step S<b>103</b>, the presentation unit <b>17</b> specifies the processing of the component part image that is acquired in step S<b>102</b> for the processing unit <b>18</b>, and acquires the processed image of each respective component part that is used in the presentation display. According to the processing rule, the processing unit <b>18</b> processes the image of the component parts of Type other than TextBox or PictureBox, i.e., the image of the component parts that correspond to the ID numbers <b>1</b> through <b>6</b>, <b>8</b>, and <b>10</b>, into the filled images. It is possible, for example, for the fill to be performed with the color that is specified for the color of each respective parts data. It would also be possible for the fill to be either opaque or semi-transparent. In step S<b>104</b>, the presentation unit <b>17</b> draws the processed component image in order in the presentation window, in accordance with the location data that is contained in the parts data <b>30</b>. As a result, the component parts with the ID numbers <b>1</b> through <b>6</b>, <b>8</b>, and <b>10</b> constitute a filled component image, leading to a display such as the image <b>40</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>.

0045In step S<b>105</b>, the presentation unit <b>17</b> treats the image <b>40</b> that is acquired per the foregoing as a background image and executes a process in the presentation mode, i.e., a process such as the input event from the input unit <b>12</b> or an application event. As a result of the process, such actions are performed as launching or operating of applications, changing of the operation mode, changing of the parts data, changing of the parts image, or annotation. In step S<b>106</b>, the presentation unit <b>17</b> determines whether or not to continue with the presentation mode, and terminates the presentation mode if the presentation mode is not to be continued, i.e., S<b>106</b> is “YES”. If the presentation mode is to be continued, i.e., S<b>106</b> is “NO”, the process returns to step S<b>105</b>.

0046According to the first embodiment, the processing unit <b>18</b> processes the image of each respective component part that is managed by the parts image management unit <b>16</b>, according to the processing rule, for example, to fill the component other than the component of Type TextBox or PictureBox. The presentation unit <b>17</b> controls the presentation so as to be performed based on the processed image. Accordingly, it is possible to clarify that the button type is inoperable during the presentation, by setting the processing rule to carry out such a process as filling on the component parts which receive a direction from the user in the application window. According to the first embodiment, it is thus possible to change the drawing state so as to indicate that a type of button that cannot be operated during the presentation is inoperable, for example, by filling thereof, and thus avoid an erroneous operation by making the user aware of the current operation mode of the program. Setting the processing rule to perform such a process as drawing a semi-transparent text for a component part that is of a larger size than a preset threshold value allows depicting that the component part is inoperable, while facilitating comprehension of the description within the component part.

Second Embodiment

0047According to the first embodiment, the part image is changed by capturing the image of each respective part according to the parts data <b>30</b>, and changed by applying a process thereto. According to a second embodiment, a display is performed that informs the user that the application is in the presentation mode, by capturing the image of the selected application window and/or screen area, i.e., the selected screen area, and changing the image thus captured in accordance with the processing rule. A configuration of a presentation apparatus according to the second embodiment is similar to the presentation apparatus according to the first embodiment, in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0048<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a flowchart that describes a process of creating a presentation mode screen, according to the second embodiment.

0049When the presentation commences, the presentation unit <b>17</b> detects the selected application window or screen area, i.e., the selected screen area, which is selected by the user as being intended for presentation, in step S<b>200</b>. In step S<b>201</b>, the presentation unit <b>17</b> acquires the part data from the parts data management unit <b>15</b> that corresponds to the selected screen area. The process thereto is similar to the process described in steps S<b>100</b> and S<b>101</b> according to the first embodiment.

0050In step S<b>202</b>, the presentation unit <b>17</b> acquires, as a captured image, a region from the display control unit <b>13</b> that contains the application window or screen area that is detected in step S<b>200</b>. In step S<b>203</b>, the presentation unit <b>17</b> acquires an image to be used in the presentation display, by directing the processing unit <b>18</b> to process the acquired captured image. The processing unit <b>18</b> performs a drawing of a mask image vis-à-vis the component image in the captured image to be processed. A mask image is a processed image acquired by processing each respective component part image in the application window, in such a manner as a fill, a color inversion, or a drawing of semi-transparent text, for example, “COPY”, thereupon.

0051It is presumed that the processing rule according to the second embodiment is “Fill the part other than the part of Type TextBox or PictureBox,” according to the first embodiment. Accordingly, the mask image vis-à-vis the Form component part that is depicted as ID No. <b>1</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a square of height <b>100</b> and width <b>100</b>, which is filled in gray. The mask image vis-à-vis the TextBox component part that is ID No. <b>7</b> clips a rectangle of height <b>100</b> and width <b>70</b>, starting at the image capture location (<b>0</b>, <b>30</b>). The processing unit <b>18</b> generates a mask image for the selected component part by changing the drawing state according to the processing rule, and generates a mask image for the component parts other than the selected component part by extracting corresponding portion from the captured image. In step S<b>204</b>, the processing unit <b>18</b> draws the mask image that is thus acquired for each respective component part in the captured image, in order indicated by the parts data <b>30</b>. For example, if the preceding process is performed on the image capture of the application window <b>20</b>, the image <b>40</b> that is depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is acquired. Thus, the processing unit <b>18</b> acquires and draws the image for the presentation display. It is desirable for the mask image thus generated to be positioned so as to overlap the selected screen area.

0052The process of the steps S<b>205</b> and S<b>206</b> are as per steps S<b>105</b> and S<b>106</b> according to the first embodiment. In step S<b>205</b>, a process such as the input event from the input unit <b>12</b> or an application event is processed. As a result of the process, such actions are performed as launching or operating of applications, changing of the operation mode, changing of the parts data, changing of the parts image, or annotation. In step S<b>206</b>, a determination is made as to whether the current mode is the presentation mode, and terminates the presentation mode if the current mode is not the presentation mode, i.e., S<b>206</b> is “YES”. If the current mode is the presentation mode, i.e., S<b>206</b> is “NO”, the process returns to step S<b>205</b>.

Third Embodiment

0053Following is a description according to a third embodiment, wherein the presentation is performed by generating a background image from the component part whose drawing state is to be changed, drawing the background image in a transparent window, and positioning the transparent window over the application window. A configuration of a presentation apparatus according to the third embodiment is similar to the presentation apparatus according to the first embodiment, in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0054<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a flowchart that describes a process of creating a presentation mode screen, according to the third embodiment. The transparent window is positioned over the application window to perform the presentation, according to the third embodiment.

0055When the presentation commences, the presentation unit <b>17</b> detects the selected application window or screen area, i.e., the selected screen area, which is selected as being intended for presentation, in step S<b>300</b>. In step S<b>301</b>, the presentation unit <b>17</b> acquires the part data from the parts data management unit <b>15</b> that corresponds to the selected screen area. The process thereto is similar to the process described in steps S<b>100</b> and S<b>101</b> according to the first embodiment.

0056In step S<b>302</b>, the presentation unit <b>17</b> directs the processing unit <b>18</b> to create the background image for displaying in the transparent window. The processing unit <b>18</b> completes the background image by creating the mask image of each respective part, according to the parts data <b>30</b>, and drawing the mask image in accordance with the parts data <b>30</b>. A mask image is a processed image generated by processing each respective component part image in the application window in such a manner as a fill, a color inversion, or a drawing of semi-transparent text, for example, “COPY”, thereupon.

0057It is presumed that the processing rule according to the third embodiment is “Fill the part other than the part of Type TextBox or PictureBox,” according to the first and second embodiments. Accordingly, the mask image vis-à-vis the Form component part that is depicted as ID No. <b>1</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a square of height <b>100</b> and width <b>100</b>, which is filled in gray. The mask image vis-à-vis the TextBox component part that is ID No. <b>7</b> is a rectangle of height <b>100</b> and width <b>70</b>, and of a transparent color. The processing unit <b>18</b> generates a mask image whereupon is drawn either an opaque or a semi-transparent pattern, for the selected component part, and the processing unit <b>18</b> generates a transparent mask image for the component parts other than the selected component part. The processing unit <b>18</b> draws the mask image, in accordance with the parts data <b>30</b>, thus obtaining a background image <b>50</b> that is depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>. In the background image generated by the processing unit <b>18</b>, the region where the transparent-colored component part is located at the top is transparent. Accordingly, the region where the component part ID No. <b>7</b> is overlaid on the component part ID No. <b>1</b> is transparent. The filled component part ID No. <b>8</b> or ID No. <b>10</b> is located above the component part ID No. <b>7</b>, and thus, the portion whereby the component part ID No. <b>8</b> or ID No. <b>10</b> is present ceases to be transparent.

0058In step S<b>303</b>, the background image <b>50</b> thus generated is drawn in the transparent presentation window. For example, the background image <b>50</b> that is depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is drawn in the transparent presentation window. When the presentation window wherein the background image is drawn is overlaid on the application window that is depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, a screen display such as is depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is obtained. Positioning the transparent application window such that the background image overlaps the selected screen area causes the presentation window such as is depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> to be generated.

0059The process of the steps S<b>304</b> and S<b>305</b> are as per steps S<b>105</b> and S<b>106</b> according to the first embodiment. In step S<b>304</b>, a process such as the input event from the input unit <b>12</b> or an application event is processed. As a result of the process, such actions are performed as launching or operating of applications, changing of the operation mode, changing of the parts data, changing of the parts image, or annotation. In step S<b>305</b>, a determination is made as to whether the current mode is the presentation mode, and terminates the presentation mode if the current mode is not the presentation mode, i.e., S<b>305</b> is “YES”. If the current mode is the presentation mode, i.e., S<b>305</b> is “NO”, the process returns to step S<b>304</b>.

0060According to the embodiments, it is possible to visually identify the operation mode without taking one's eyes from the target of the operation, as it is now possible to change the screen display of the target of the operation in response to the operation mode, without restricting the application to which the present invention is to be applied.

0061In addition to the embodiments, it would be possible for the present invention to take on such embodiments as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium. In particular, the present invention may be applied to a system that is configured from a plurality of devices, as well as an apparatus that is configured from a single device.

0062The present invention includes achieving the functions of the embodiments by supplying a software program to the system or the apparatus, either directly or remotely, and having a computer of the system or the apparatus load and execute the program code thus supplied. In such a circumstance, the program thus supplied corresponds to the flowcharts that are depicted in the drawings, according to the embodiments.

0063Accordingly, the program code that is installed on the computer in order to implement the function process of the present invention thereupon itself implements the present invention. The present invention includes the computer program that itself implements the function process of the present invention.

0064In such a circumstance, the program may take any form that possesses the function of the program, such as object code, a program that is executed by an interpreter, or a script that is supplied to an operating system.

0065The following are examples of storage media that may be used in supplying the program: a floppy disk, a hard drive, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disk (MO), a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R), etc.

0066Another method of supplying the program would be to use a web browser on a client computer to connect to a webpage on the Internet and download the computer program of the present invention from the webpage to a hard drive or other storage medium. The program thus downloaded may be a compressed file with an auto-install function. It would also be possible for the program code that configures the program of the present invention to be implemented by segmentation into a plurality of files, each of which is downloaded from a different webpage. A web server that downloads the program file that implements the functions of the present invention on the computer to a plurality of users is thus also included within the present invention.

0067It would also be possible to encrypt the program of the present invention, store the encrypted data on a CD-ROM or other storage medium, and distribute the program thereby. In such a circumstance, it would also be possible to download a key information via a webpage on the Internet that decrypts the encrypted data to a user who meets a prescribed condition, and to use the key information to execute and install the program on the computer.

0068It would also be possible to implement the functions of the embodiments through having the computer execute the program loaded therein, as well as a collaboration between the program and the operating system or other software running on the computer, in accordance with the instructions of the program. In such a circumstance, the functions of the embodiments are implemented by the process that is performed in whole or in part by the operating system or other software.

0069It is also permissible for the functions of the embodiments to be implemented, in whole or in part, by having the program that is loaded from the recording medium written to a memory that is built into an expansion board that is installed into the computer, or into an expansion unit that is attached to the computer. In such a circumstance, when the program is written to the expansion board or the expansion unit, a CPU or other hardware that is built into the expansion board or the expansion unit performs the actual process, in whole or in part, in accordance with the directions of the program.

0070While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

0071This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-212242, filed Aug. 3, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.